FOURTH-SEED Iga Swiatek kept her composure during a rain delay — even solving crossword puzzles — to defeat Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Thursday (Friday, June 27, 2025, PH time), securing her spot in the Bad Homburg Open semifinals.
Swiatek, who is playing her only grass court tournament before Wimbledon begins next week, admitted to struggling with 37 unforced errors against Alexandrova.
“I think today was all about adjusting to the conditions because it was super windy,” Swiatek said. “On one hand, to be intense on the other hand being safe.”
She acknowledged Alexandrova as a formidable opponent, stating, “Ekaterina is a tough opponent. I have lost against her before. She can play amazing tennis and her flat shots really fit the grass so I am happy I am through.”
Swiatek won the first set with two breaks, but rain interrupted the match in the second set. Her strategy of solving crossword puzzles during the break seemingly paid off, as she held serve throughout the remainder of the second set to win the tiebreak. This sets up a semifinal clash against second-seed Jasmine Paolini, whom Swiatek leads 4-0 in their head-to-head record.
Paolini, last year’s Wimbledon finalist, earned her fourth consecutive victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia with a 7-5, 7-5 win. This was also her first straight-sets triumph against the Brazilian, marking her fourth semifinal appearance of the season.
Top-seed Jessica Pegula joined them in the last four after a three-set battle against fellow American and fifth-seed Emma Navarro, ultimately winning 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Pegula will now face 20-year-old Czech Linda Noskova, who impressively defeated third-seed Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-3. / From the wires